Sailors hockey team drops match

Denver  The Steamboat Springs hockey team fell to Pueblo County 8-6 in the opening round of the state hockey playoffs Friday night in Breckenridge.

To the Sailors' credit, the game appeared to be all but over after two periods with the Hornets up 6-1. Steamboat, however, scored four unanswered goals to get within one of Pueblo.

The Hornets answered with a goal to make the score 7-5. The Sailors responded with another goal, inching closer.

In the closing minutes of the third, however, Pueblo was able to score a power-play goal to win 8-6 on a call that coach Dave Strang said was unfortunate.

"Everything finally clicked for us in the third period," Strang said. "The guys were outstanding."

Offense has been a problem for Steamboat most of the season, as Strang has challenged his players to step up and finish plays. After two periods of old habits, the Sailors found the back of the net an impressive five times Friday night.